by Anton Fischer (American, 1882-1962). Best known for his fishing scenes, war convoys, and marine battle scenes, Anton Fischer was born in Germany and came to New York City in 1903. Among his illustrated books were Moby Dick, Twenty-Thousand Leagues Under the Sea, and Treasure Island. He was known for his technical accuracy, as well…
The men who fought the battles
A peerless collection representing not so much the leaders but the men who fought the battles. Civil War drum of the 4th New York Heavy Artillery, carried by E.B.A. Miller, drummer boy of Company A. Miller enlisted on August 27, 1862, and served until June 3, 1865, playing the drum in the battles of the…
General Tomoyuki Yamashita.
“Presentation” sword and personal effects (kimono, sashes, suitcase, notebook case, wrist compass and land compass, cigarettes, slippers) of Japanese General Tomoyuki Yamashita. General Yamashita (1885 –1946) was a leading general in the Japanese Imperial Army throughout World War II. He was most famous for conquering the British colonies of Malaya and Singapore, earning the…
World War II Communion Set
We have pieces of a communion set carried across the fields of Normandy following the D-Day landings in the summer of 1944. The set includes sacramental cups for wine and trays for the bread. 1880s Kiowa Tribe cross. Crucifix given by Father Pierre-Jean De Smet to Henry Little John, son of the Sioux chief Sitting…
Memphis Belle
A rendering of the original nose painting for the famous WWII bomber, The Memphis Belle. The poster is from the 1944 documentary about the plane. The Memphis Belle is the nickname of a Boeing B-17F-10-BO Flying Fortress that flew 25 combat missions during WII, from England over France and Germany, with her crew intact. The…
Military Figures
Han dynasty items, dating ca. 206 BCE-220 CE. The military figures were placed in the tomb to protect the deceased. They are depicted in leather tunics and carrying weapons. Note the shape of the bronze arrowheads, as they are pyramid form rather than of a flattened triangular shape.
World War II
The jacket belonged to famed war correspondent Ernie Pyle, who was killed by machine gun fire on Okinawa in April 1945. Pyle had previously covered the war in Africa and Europe. He was admired for his own courageous coverage of the infantry grunt, whose perseverance and fortitude, Pyle believed, were what won the war. Documents…
Propaganda, patriotism, and memorabilia from the Allied and Axis armies and their leaders
As part of its substantial holdings in more than two centuries of American military history, the Pamplin Collection has recently begun building its World War II section, with objects such as dog tags, uniforms, medals, photographs and newspapers, flags, propaganda, albums, and illustrations. Rescript of the Japanese Imperial Declaration of War on the United States…
Soldiers on warhorses
The horses and the riders are ready for battle, and the animals show us how horses would have been adorned before a battle. The horses are depicted as nearly celestial, with oversized chests and very developed bodies atop strong legs that could have carried their riders safely into and out of battle.
Jesus with a Crown of Thorns
from the court of Karl Couint of Maldeghem, Germany, ca. 1700. This wonderful portrait is a Germanic painting on copper depicting Christ with blood emanating from his forehead. Even the gold leaf appears to be from the early 1700s.